Ancient Egypt Pyramids and Pharaohs

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile In ancient times Egypt was covered with swampland The Nile river Longest river in the world – 4,160 miles Ancient Egypt was located along a 750 mile stretch of the Nile

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Other natural advantages Egypt has a frost free climate Easy to grow many kinds of food The Nile Valley contains several natural deposits Granite Sandstone Limestone The deserts and seas provided a natural barrier The isthmus of Suez- trade route

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Early steps towards civilization Hieroglyphics Papyrus The Rosetta Stone

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Two distinct kingdoms developed in Egypt Upper Egypt (Southern Egypt) Lower Egypt (Northern Egypt) Menes King of Upper Egypt United all of Egypt around 3,200 B.C. Pharaoh- “Great House”

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile The Old Kingdom Many developments in science and art Sphinx Largest pyramids 2 classes Peasants and Farmers Nobility

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile The Middle Kingdom Golden Age of Egypt Nobles and priest began to weaken the power of the Pharaoh Hyksos (war- like people from Asia) Conquered part of Egypt, ruled for 100 years Chariots Compound Bow

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile The New Kingdom Strong Pharaohs reunited the land Drove the Hyksos out of Egypt Thebes became capital They built an Empire Hatshepsut- first female ruler

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile The New Kingdom Continued Amenhotep IV Tried to bring out religious and social change Egyptians were polytheistic Amen believed in one god, the Sun (Aton) He was unsuccessful in his attempt to change, priests did not want to give up power

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Egypt's Decline The Assyrians began to take over as world powers Egypt’s world dominance finally diminished

Egyptian Life and Culture The Achievements of Ancient Egypt Architecture and the Arts Pyramids & Sphinx There are still about 80 pyramids Sculpture and paintings

Egyptian Life and Culture Sphinx and PyramidsThe Great Pyramid Ancient Egyptian Art Ancient Thebes Ramses built this for his wife

Egyptian Life and Culture Kom Ombo Temple Statue of Amun Head of Ramses Court of Amenhotep

Egyptian Life and Culture Science Math and Medicine Calendars Had a lunar calendar Could predict the flooding of the Nile Came up with a 30 day / 12 month calendar Number system based on tens Similar to the decimal system Used geometry to build pyramids Medicines

Egyptian Life and Culture Education and Religion Scribes Learned to read and write Worked for government Other education was religious

Egyptian Life and Culture Education and Religion Cont. The afterlife At first, only Pharaohs had an afterlife Had to preserve body for the afterlife Mummification Placed objects in the tomb to help them in the afterlife Treasure, a Book of the Dead

Egyptian Life and Culture Society and Economy Class was rigidly divided Women were equal to their husbands Could own property Leave it to her daughter Farmed cotton Traded via caravan routes